Republican border bill could affect California parks

The House on Tuesday is debating legislation, HR 1505, by Utah Republican Rob Bishop that would override environmental and other protections on lands within 100 miles of the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada, handing unrestricted access to such areas to the Department of Homeland Security.

Bishop argues that the Border Patrol needs total access to wilderness areas, some including wildlife corridors, that smugglers use to cross the borders with impunity. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad (San Diego County), said illegal immigrants and smugglers have been trashing wilderness areas along the border. Republicans argued that the national parks along the border “have been turned into personal landfills for illegal border crossers,” where smugglers dump trash, leave human waste, destroy vegetation and start wildfires. They also cited dangers to visitors, including increased robberies and auto theft.

Opponents include Latino, tribal and outdoor groups and others who contend the legislation would give the Border Patrol way too much power, including the power to use not just motor vehicles, but using vehicles, build roads, fences, housing and airstrips. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Co., said the Border Patrol already has authority to pursue illegal immigrants through wilderness areas. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said it would allow drones over the entire 100-mile zone along both borders, but Republicans said the government already can fly drones if it wants.

The legislation would override 36 environmental, safety and other regulations, including the Wilderness Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Antiquities Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Migratory Bird Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, the Fish and Wildlife Act, among others.